“Well, you know I’ve been planning Dante’s birthday party for the past month, and after seeing all the money we're putting into it, it made me realize that some people don’t have the opportunity to give these kinds of days to their kids. Some can’t even afford gifts or a cake.” Her eyes become watery. She’s always been very in tune with her emotions.
“So I was thinking, I want to create an organization that helps plan and finance birthday parties for underprivileged kids. We have the connections and resources for it. I’m sure if I ask Amanda, our old boss, she’ll want to help wherever she can.” Her eyes light up as she begins explaining her idea. “We’ll host fundraisers and everything to obtain donations and sponsors. And the boys can easily spread the word every time they’re on TV or with their own sponsors.”
She takes a sip of her wine before continuing, while all I can do is stare at her.How does she come up with these genius ideas? But why does she keep saying ‘we’?
“I mentioned it to Silas, and he thinks it’s a great idea. We’d hire people to do most of the birthday parties, of course, because we could get a really big demand with how expensive life has gotten. But we’ll still be able to do a couple ourselves, so itwouldn’t fully take us away from the kids. The rest of the stuff can mostly be done at home.”
“That’s a brilliant idea, babe! But who’s we?” I ask curiously.
She places her hand on top of mine above the kitchen island and smiles gleamingly. “I want you to be my partner. We always talked about starting our own business together in college. This could be it. Say yes!”
“Oh my God! Really? Yes, of course!” We throw ourselves into each other’s arms, excitement taking over as we jump in place like two schoolgirls. That is until I realize something.
I stop and pull back. “But wait, what about Gracie? I can’t just abandon Greyson like that…”
“I thought of that, too. We’ll have to see with him first, but since I’ll have to get a nanny to watch Dante whenever we’re too busy with the business, I was thinking we could get the nanny to watch both, either here or at my place. We live close, so we’ll just have to drop off one of the kids. It’ll be easier to find one good nanny rather than two. And Dante and Gracie already spend a lot of time together, so they’re used to one another,” she tells me reassuringly.That does seem like a good plan.
“Anyway, it wouldn’t take off overnight, so we have time to plan everything to make sure our babies are in perfect hands. And like I said, it wouldn’t be every day, only when it’s necessary.”
“Okay, yeah. I’ll have to talk to Greyson about it, but I think that could work. Oh God! I’m so excited!” I take her in my arms again as we giggle. "Who knew I'd go from being the nanny, to needing a nanny," I joke as our giggles turn to full blown laughter, waking up Gracie.Oh shoot…
~ Two Days Later ~
Little Tulip isn’t only teething anymore, she now has a cold and fever. Yesterday her nose started running and she had a small fever. Then during the night, she started puking and hasn’t been able to keep anything down. All she wants is to be in my arms around the clock, and I let her. If it can help make her feel better, I’ll do anything.
I’ve been an emotional mess since last night. I’m running on very little sleep, and seeing Gracie like this is tearing my heart in two. I haven’t showered since yesterday. My hair is all knots and tangles, and I smell like vomit. I haven’t even eaten since yesterday because I’m afraid to take my eyes off her.
Thank God Greyson is coming home soon. He’s texted every hour since we first noticed she was sick, except for when he had other obligations. I’m pretty sure he was up all night with me too, worrying about his little girl.
I’m lying in Greyson’s bed with Gracie beside me when Grey finally makes it home. It’s the only place I’ve managed to get her down without needing to be in my arms, although I don’t leave her side even when she’s sleeping here. I think smelling her father is soothing for her.
Greyson enters his room and walks around the bed, climbing in behind Little Tulip and facing me. He kisses her head and delicately glides his knuckle over her cheek, then his hand comes up to me, and he passes his fingers through my hair, or tries to.
“It’s all knotted. I haven’t brushed it or showered since yesterday. I must smell horrible,” I say quietly, not to wake Gracie.
“You’re still beautiful. Go shower, I’ll keep watch.”
I nod and climb out of bed, leaving the room and heading into mine. I shower quickly, comb out my hair, and brush my teeth, then put on a clean short PJ set and walk back over to Greyson’s room.
I pop my head inside and find them in the same position, Gracie sleeping beside her daddy, and her father watching me. I silently get back into my earlier position on the opposite side of the sweet little sick girl.
“Bunny, you can go rest. I know you haven’t slept much since you guys came home. I’m here now, take advantage of it.”
I shake my head against the pillow. “Can I stay here? I don’t want to leave her.”
Greyson cups my cheek. “Of course you can stay here.”
I look down at Gracie, passing my fingers through her short hair. “It breaks my heart to see her like this…” I croak out, a tear slipping out. And for once, I don’t fight it. I’m too emotionally exhausted to put on a happy face.
Grey brings his hand back to me and wipes my tear away with his thumb. I gaze up at him, letting him see how much pain I feel for his little girl. His hand comes to the back of my head, cradling it as he leans forward.
In the next moment, Greyson presses his lips to mine. Tentatively at first, but when he feels me sigh against him and open up, it quickly grows with breathtaking passion. The kiss doesn't last long, but it's filled with promises.
A promise for more, a promise to a future.Together.
Chapter eighteen
Greyson
